e country has grown quiet. Perhaps this trouble will die down
rapidly, and we shall be back in a month or two."

"You may, and yet I doubt it, Englishman. This war has been the thought
of my countrymen for many years. They long to reach the coast, to have
their own town there, where they may obtain supplies and guns. Yes, we
know that, for we have listened to their talk. And besides, our
brothers are born to fight. In times of peace they have little to do,
and so it happens that we are forever quarrelling with those who live
near at hand. A few, like ourselves, are trained to mine, and the king
keeps us free from interference. We are necessary, for with gold the
king buys guns and powder, and in our country it is a law that every
nugget found goes to him as tribute. The dust belongs to the diggers,
while those who dare to conceal the nuggets, even if they be only as
small as the smallest bean, are taken to Kumasi and sacrificed. Thus,
as I said, we can return to the villages, and we shall be safe so long
as we can keep away from the war parties. For they will know that we
come from the mine, and doubtless the king, having declared that he will
fight the Fantis and the English, has given orders for all who worked
there to be slain or taken captive."

"And how do you propose to avoid these war parties?" asked Dick,
anxiously.

"In this way. We will steam on till we are clear of these cravens who
attacked us, and as the moon grows near we will tie up under the bank.
Then, if our white chief agrees, we will serve out the dust, each man
taking what is due to him. Then we will dive into the forest, and will
make for Kumasi. Trust us to keep away from the fighters."

"While I shall have to run down-stream alone and escape them if I can."

"We would gladly come with you," said the native, "but it would mean
death to us. If the white chief desires it we will come."

"No. I will go alone. You have done splendidly," said Dick. "You have
proved true and more than brave. I shall report that to our employers.
We will steam on for a little while, and then we will serve out the
wages. Later we shall hope to meet again at the mine."

Little did Dick guess that this river would be dyed in many places with
the blood of men ere the country was quiet again, and that the forests
and woods would echo to the cheers of British soldiers ere King Koffee,
the arrogant and bloodthirsty potentate of Kumasi, would consent to